Red Belt, the Tuscarora — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 RED BELT, THE TUSCARORA. marked the mighty forests beyond the Ohio. And as he gazed, sorrow and gloom came to his brow, and then soft murmurs fell from his lips. Then they ceased, and the young Indian's head sunk slowly down. An hour passed, when Red Belt suddenly straightened up as the watchful dog, which crouched by his side, uttered a low, warning growl, his nose pointed toward the river. The In- dian looked thither for a moment, and then, quick as lightning, he threw his rifle up; his eye gleamed down the barrel, and his steady finger was upon the nicely-set trigger. But he hesitated, and slowly eased down the hammer of his : rifle. He was in the deep shadow of the dwarf tree, and could = not be seen. Patting the dog gently, to quict him, he contin- ued to gaze. Slowly the dark object, showing dimly above the wager, came closer in shore. The fire on the bank was now faint and smoldering. The object came on; and then, with a few vigorous strokes, it drove itself noiselessly toward the canoe of the hunter. In an instant Red Belt, raising his wild war-shout, turned, and, followed by Eagle, darted toward the canoe. Then came deep anathemas, and the clashing of knives as the water was - beaten newly. Red Belt had closed in a death-struggle with his foe ! . There in the narrow boat the combatants stood, breast to breast, foot to foot, and silently fought the wagered fight. = Gradually Red Belt pressed his antagonist back, toward the ‘ stern of the boat, the light craft shaking and oscillating fear- . fully. Backward the Tuscarora pushed his red adversary. But suddenly the other, who was a far more powerful savage than his opponent, paused, and with a quick, desperate leap, dashed upon Red Belt. The onset was so unexpected and so furious, that the young Indian was taken at an advantage. He fell, like lead, his head striking the gunwale of the boat. His arms dropped listlessly by his side, and his rifle, which he a hastily dropped across a seat, slid overboard. In a moment the brawny savage eias down, and clutch- ed his senseless foe by his scalp-lock. But in the twinkling of an eye a low growl] sounded en the air, and Eagle darted 4z. comicbooks.com - . -\ nl , ad 4 ref